When should conductivity and pH be checked?

• A. Prior to initiation of every tx using a phoenix meter with 2 individuals
• B. During dialysis
• C. After dialysis
• D. Only if an alarm occurs

Answer: (A)

Before starting treatment, verify the dialysate quality. Checking conductivity and pH with the Phoenix meter and having two qualified staff confirm the readings ensures the solution matches prescribed values and protects the patient from harmful shifts in electrolytes or acid-base balance. If the values are out of range, treatment shouldn’t begin until re-preparation and re-testing are correct.

During treatment, the machine’s monitoring helps, but a pre-treatment double-check catches issues before the patient is exposed. Post-treatment checks don’t prevent exposure, and relying only on alarms can miss problems that were present at the start.